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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Play trailer Poster for Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father 2008 1h 35m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 96% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagby is found dead in a park in Pennsylvania. He had been shot by his ex-girlfriend, who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail, pregnant with Andrew's child. Andrew's enraged parents campaign to gain custody of the child and convict their son's killer. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne pairs this story with home movies and interviews with those who knew Andrew, hoping to give his best friend's son an opportunity to discover who his dad was.
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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

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Critics Consensus

Dear Zachary is a both a touching tribute to a fallen friend and a heart-wrenching account of justice gone astray, skillfully put to film with no emotion spared.

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Critics Reviews

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Rob Humanick Slant Magazine The most ambitious work of its kind. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 26, 2009 Full Review Hank Sartin Time Out Just take our advice and bring tissues. You're going to need them. Rated: 5/5 Nov 25, 2008 Full Review Stanley Kauffmann The New Republic A slick account of ancient crevices in the human psyche rendered in cutting-edge cinematic style. Nov 20, 2008 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row You can almost feel the love radiating out of every frame, from a father to a son who never met, but who will touch millions in ways they never thought possible. Rated: 4/4 Jul 7, 2019 Full Review C.J. Prince Way Too Indie It's one of the few films guaranteed to turn its viewers into a sobbing mess by the end, and the raw power of its story is why it still has a lasting impact with people today. Jun 20, 2019 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews An uneven yet frequently heartbreaking documentary... Rated: 3/4 Nov 27, 2015 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jay P. You will go on an emotional spectrum roller coaster, with this documentary. You will experience happiness, sadness, anger, and sadness again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/19/25 Full Review Ann Marie C Devastating and heart-wrenching but absolutely worth watching this compelling documentary that gently leaves you at your own doorstep with a gut-twisting longing to make the world a better place. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/07/25 Full Review James J This film absolutely wrecked me. As a father it makes me realize how much I’ve taken for granted. I can honestly say I’m going to hug them a little tighter before bedtime from now on. Dear Zachary is a beautiful, intimate, and heartbreaking story about a remarkable man who touched the life of every person he came across and the incredible legacy he left behind. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/28/25 Full Review Catherine C This was so good. I have seen it several times. Bittersweet Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/25 Full Review Yash B Documentaries are hit or miss for me generally. "Dear Zachary" is easily one of the most impactful true crime documentaries I have ever seen and it completely floored me. The story starts out with a gut punch and doesn't let up until the very end. Despite the nature of the story being extremely tragic or upsetting, there is an optimism that this film still manages to provide by the end. I found myself moved to tears in multiple moments in this documentary and as it evolved it just became a tougher story to process. Overall, it is a masterclass in the documentary genre and simply one of the most moving films I have ever experienced, and it leaves a truly profound impact that few films are able to achieve. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/23/25 Full Review Terrie G I’m not sure who buried this film! Well done Kurt! You did an amazing job for Kate and David! They are saints and incredibly strong! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

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Cast & Crew

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Kurt Kuenne

Director

Kurt Kuenne

Narrator

Kurt Kuenne

Writer

Kurt Kuenne

Producer

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Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 2001, 28-year-old Dr. Andrew Bagby is found dead in a park in Pennsylvania. He had been shot by his ex-girlfriend, who then fled to Canada, where she was able to walk free on bail, pregnant with Andrew's child. Andrew's enraged parents campaign to gain custody of the child and convict their son's killer. Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne pairs this story with home movies and interviews with those who knew Andrew, hoping to give his best friend's son an opportunity to discover who his dad was.
Director
Kurt Kuenne
Producer
Kurt Kuenne
Screenwriter
Kurt Kuenne
Production Co
MSNBC Network
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 31, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 24, 2016
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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